Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier

This review has been written for The David Gemmell Legend Awards for Fantasy site.






Heart's Blood tells the story of Caitrin, forced to leave her house, running from her violent and controlling family. She finds herself upon Whistling Tor, a place dominated by a haunted castle, where spirits roam the hill, terrifying the village. The Lord of the castle, Anluan, does nothing to save the villagers from the presences of the underworld, in fact, he does nothing to rule his lands.

When Caitrin ran, she took with herself the tools of her father's trade: inks, quills and paper. As a scribe, and fluent in Latin, she sees an opportunity when a man from the castle comes to the village inquiring for someone with such skills.

She comes to meet Anluan, a man with a bad temper and some physical deficiencies, and a retinue of servants, most of them not entirely human. Her task will be to translate the diaries of Anluan great-grandfather, in which there might be a way to save the Whistling Tor from the host of undead that roam the hill.

Based on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale, Heart's Blood is much more than a simple retelling. Caitrin, the heroine, is a girl running away from the nightmare that her house has become, but not a frighten girl cowering from the world. She has a strong mind and during the story she comes to face her biggest fears. Anluan, the “Beast”, is not the monster portrayed in the fairytale. Most of his beastly qualities are due to his temper, and his attitude towards Caitrin. Most of all, he sees himself as a monster. However, the story does have the elements of the fairytale, a magic plant, not a Rose, but Heart's Blood; a magic mirror, actually several; a household full of enchanted servants, in this case undead. And of course, a happily ever after ending.

Although the book follows Caitrin, there are different storylines woven in Heart's Blood. Parallel to Caitrin's story, there is the story of Nechtan, the evil great-grandfather, and his quest to assemble an horde of spirits to his binding; the story of Anluan's father, Irial, a botanist at heart struggling with depression after his wife death; and the story of the women of Whistling Tor, all of them with a tragic ending.

Among the amazing characters are the undead that live in the castle. Do not think of spirits, because they can be touched, they are not wisps of smoke moving about; neither are they zombies, running aimlessly around. They are clearly different, cold and pale, but they remain human (although some more than others). And it's their humanity that brings a bigger depth to this story, to be more than a simple fairytale.

It's a beautiful story, that deals with fears and disability, well suited for young adults, although there is no age restriction to like a good book. The style of writing is very fluid, like all of the Juliet Marillier's books. (5/5)

Birdwing By Rafe Martin

Birdwing by Rafe Martin

 

Based on the Six Swans fairytale, Birdwing tells the story of the younger brother that was left with a swan wing instead of an arm. It is mostly a story about growing up and accepting differences. But it is also an adventure story.

Ardwin, still a child when the spell that transformed him and his brothers into swans was broken, grows up different from everyone else, but chooses not to let his wing (and lack of arm) stop him from excelling in everything he does (and that includes sword fighting, lance throwing and archery). Even though he is a prince, he is met with disapproval and prejudice from other people and finds himself remembering the time when he was a swan and not different. He decides to return to the north where the swans stay, his departure fuelled by a gift from a neighbouring king of an mechanical arm. He sets off with his two close friends, but his plan is to follow by himself. Despite that, Ardwin makes new friends, human and animal.

I must confess I decided to read this book regarding it as a continuation of sorts to Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. Although both stories are based on the same fairytale, they are very different. And Ardwin, the main character is very different from Finbar.

Interesting is also the inclusion of the Goose Girl fairytale, but that I felt that was unnecessary.

A lot happens in this story, and is mostly told in rapid way. This does not mean it is rushed, apart from the ending that feels like the author either didn't know how to finish the story or couldn't be bothered to do it properly, so much of the ending is delivered by other characters telling it between themselves.

It is an enjoyable young adult read, Ardwin being a character easy to identify with. Other characters provide amusing moments. Horse (the horse, but that I kept picturing as Shrek's Donkey) provides much of the comic relief, while being a (somewhat) faithful companion.

(4/5)

Tyrant's Blood

Tyrant's Blood by Fiona McIntosh
This review has been written for The David Gemmell Legend Awards for Fantasy site (http://gemmellaward.com/). Go vote!

In Royal Exile Loethar had conquered the Denova Set by force and imposed himself as Emperor. Prince Leonel, now King after his father death, went into exile with his friend and protector, Gavriel de Vis, to find the bandit Kilt Faris.

Ten years have passed, and the Emperor has discarded his barbarian ways to become a just ruler. The Set has begun to forget the bloodshed and fear. King Leonel has grown as well, and although he has not given up on taking his throne back, he has to admit that Loethar is doing a fine job himself.

Royal Exile was about running and saving oneself. Every character did it, they all tried very hard to stay alive, either by running to protection or by allying (or pretending to) with the invaders. Tyrant's Blood is much deeper than that. It shows the time of peace, and what people are willing to do to maintain it, while trying to make things go their way.

This is a book that is hard to review without giving anything away. The plot twists and untwists, and the characters move from place to place, running from and encountering friends and foes. This is a dark story, disturbingly so at times. You will love characters, hate them the next chapter and later forgive them for all the wrongdoings. You'll find yourself in a world that appears to have finally settled, only to discover that there is a greater darkness at work.

There are lots of things that I loved about Tyrant's Blood. I loved the Prologue. I believe it stands as a story on it own. It will confuse the reader at first, making it wonder if they have the right book in their hands, as it is so different from Royal Exile. Yet, it will fit so perfectly.

I loved that the characters evolved when we weren't looking. Not only in the ten years that have passed, but throughout the book. I also love that there is not black and white, they are all shades of grey, and sometimes the darker tones are found where least expected.

And I loved the fact that this is truly adult fantasy, with no need of dragons and giant balls of magic being hurled around to be able to fit the genre.

An excellent read, although not for the squeamish.

(4.5/5)

Good Omens Review

Good Omens -  Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

To quote Book-a-Minute, Five billion people almost DIE, and it is FUNNY.

That's the gist of Good Omens. But let's forget about the five billion almost dying, and focus on the funny. Because it's funny. Brilliantly so. Hilarious, actually.

It may sound obvious, but think about Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, and put them together. Terry Pratchett's humour and Neil Gaiman's knack for surreality. That's all in there, tied together so well, that it is impossible to tell them apart.

Good Omens is about the Apocalypse and its Four Horsemen, the Anti-Christ, The Beginning and End of Things, Angels and Demons and everything else that comes with it. But most of all it is a set of stories that all converge into one point. The characters are believable, they are surreal, and you do expect them to pop out in the your street at any time, even if it is The Antichrist.

This book is a favourite of mine. When I need something that will amuse me and provide a good read this is usually the book I pick up. If I am to be found chuckling or even laughing out loud alone, this book is sure to be the cause of it.

(5/5)

My first post, Oat Biscuits

To start my posting, here goes a awesome recipe for oat biscuits.


Ingredients:

1 cup of flour
1 cup of sugar (this can be either white, brown or muscovado, you choose)
2 cups of oats
2 eggs
about 1/4 cup of butter
1 teaspoon of baking powder
vanilla extract (vanilla sugar) to taste

A tray covered with baking paper

Extras:
Linseeds, almonds, pine nuts, raisins, your muesli cereals, etc. It can add flavour to the cookies, just put some instead of some of the oats

How to do it:
I usually use 2 cups for these, and a big bowl to mix it.

First I put the butter in one cup and melt it in the microwave (10 - 15 seconds). The measure of butter is not a very strict one, depends on your tastes: less butter gives drier but also healthier biscuits.

With the second cup I measure the sugar and add it to the bowl. Then I add the eggs and the butter, and start mixing.

When It is all homogeneous I add the flour, baking powder and vanilla essence. Again, mix it.

The tricky part is the oats. After adding them, I try to incorporate all the oats in the batter. It's not easy, the mixture is sticky. I usually also add linseeds.

Once it's all mixed, I set aside some flour.

Covering my hands with flour (and this usually means going for the flour every 3 or 4 cookies) I take a small portion of batter and roll it between my hands, until is a nice ball. Then I put it in the tray, pressing a bit down so it becomes a bit flatter. Repeat. Repeat until your hands are full of oats and sticky all over.

When it's all done, put in the oven in medium temperature (about 170ºC) for 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy

Actors to play Juliet Marillier's Characters

On a discussion on Juliet Marillier Oficial FB fanpage many actors were suggested to play the different characters.

Here is a summary of what has been suggested. Comment if anything is missing or to suggest more.

Sevenwaters Series
Saga of the Light Isles
The Bridei Chronicles
Wildwood
Heart's Blood




EDIT: Nerwen Elendil has created an website for this, with galleries for each book with the actors suggested here. Go see it!

EDIT 2: Actors in need of role here.

EDIT 3: Another blog has been created to vote in the characters: Casting Sevenwaters. It's slowly coming live. The characters in this blog which name is a link, direct to the voting page.